ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 188-2018
ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 188-2018: Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems is a risk management program established to help prevent the growth and transmission of Legionella in building water systems, both potable and utility. The new requirement puts the responsibility of controlling risk on building owners and facility managers. Here is a basic overview:
Purpose of ASHRAE 188
To provide guidance on developing practices to prevent Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever) associated with building water systems.
Who it affects
Anyone who owns, designs, builds, installs (including commissioning), manages, operates, maintains and services centralized commercial, institutional, multiunit residential, industrial or healthcare building water systems.
Who is responsible
Building owners, operators, and managers are now responsible for safeguarding potable and utility water systems in both existing and new buildings.
Buildings and water systems included
- Human-occupied buildings
- Potable water systems
- Cooling towers and evaporative condensers
- Whirlpool spas, decorative fountains and other water features
- Aerosol generating air coolers, humidifiers and washers
- Other water systems that may generate aerosols.
How to comply
- Survey building water systems to assess risk
- Develop a water management program
- Document the program
- Monitor
- Confirm that the program is implemented and Legionella is controlled
Selected ASHRAE 188 activities
- Assemble a program team
- Identify uses of potable and utility water
- Create process flow diagrams of water systems
- Identify hazardous conditions
- Establish monitoring procedures and corrective actions
